Air Traffic Controller Salary in O'Fallon, MO: $136,017 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in O'Fallon, MO earns a median $136,017/year (≈ $65.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in O'Fallon's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $151,805 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In O'Fallon, Missouri, the projected median annual air traffic controller salary for 2026 is set at $136,017, which is about 10.45% lower than the national median of $151,886. While compensation for air traffic controllers varies significantly, with a range extending from $78,890 at the 10th percentile to $203,933 at the 90th percentile, these figures reflect localized estimates derived from state-level BLS data and regional cost assessments. Aspiring controllers in O'Fallon should consider the typical timeline for CPC certification, which spans 1 to 3 years, significantly impacting early earnings. This city's competitive landscape for air traffic control positions, alongside its relatively low cost of living index of 89.6, positions O'Fallon as an appealing choice for mid-career professionals seeking stable job opportunities in this specialized field.
About the O'Fallon Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,890 | $37.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,932 | $47.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,017 | $65.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $174,102 | $83.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $203,933 | $98.05 |
Median Salary Position
10.45% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in O'Fallon
In O'Fallon, MO, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $125,043 (2026 est.). At $136,017, the local median is 10.45% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in O'Fallon: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How O'Fallon Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
O'Fallon median: $136,017/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | O'Fallon Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $136,153 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -10.45% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in O'Fallon, MO earn a median of $136,017 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.45% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.10% below the Missouri state average of $136,153.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
O'Fallon has a cost of living 10.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
O'Fallon, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $136,017 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $151,805 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$110,140
2025 BLS Actual
$132,609
2026 Current Est.
$136,017
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in O'Fallon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,140 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,794 | Actual |
| 2021 | $116,194 | Actual |
| 2022 | $118,433 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,027 | Actual |
| 2024 | $111,940 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,609 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,017 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,513 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the O'Fallon metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $110,140 (2019) to $132,609 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,513 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,373 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the O'Fallon metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.57% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $78,890 – $97,932 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,932 – $136,017 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,017 – $174,102 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $174,102 – $203,933 |
ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual air traffic controller compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Air Traffic Controller Job Market in O'Fallon
Within O'Fallon, the job market features 22 air traffic controllers, demonstrating a solid presence of this critical workforce. The area's affordability, indicated by the cost of living index, suggests that even at median pay levels, controllers enjoy a reasonable take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, the FAA en route centers tend to offer the highest compensation packages due to their greater complexity and operational demands. Factors influencing pay variance include facility rank—for instance, en route facilities often surpass terminal and tower positions in salary—alongside CPC certification levels, shift differentials, and abundant opportunities for overtime work. Controllers looking to maximize their earnings in O'Fallon might focus on positions at en route facilities while also taking advantage of potential extra pay through scheduling shifts during high-demand times or holidays.
More salary data for O'Fallon, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in O'Fallon, MO in 2026?
Is O'Fallon, MO a good place to work as a air traffic controller?
Can air traffic controllers make $100K in O'Fallon?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted air traffic controller salary in O'Fallon?
How much does a air traffic controller make per hour in O'Fallon?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Missouri
Written by Jordan Lee, ATO
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience as an air traffic controller. He specializes in terminal area control at a major airport.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $132,609 for air traffic controllersin the O'Fallon metropolitan area. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for O'Fallon is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.57%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for air traffic controllers (SOC 53-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, ATO, a licensed air traffic controller with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov